Growing up, I had always heard stories about how my mom was born in Belgium. My grandparents were both from there and had returned for a visit. My grandmother was not able to leave and ended up delivering my mother there. My grandparents finally made it back to the United States when my mother was a couple of years old. Hearing the old stories made me want to visit the birthplace of my mother. I was thrilled when a trip to Brussels became available for me via work (one of the perks of my former flight attendant life).
I made sure to take a good nap during my crew rest so I could hit the ground running once we landed. Stopping at the hotel long enough to check in and change clothes, I was off to experience all that Brussels had to offer. My first stop was the Royal Palace of Brussels, which has to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the country. The enormous grand staircase is a sight to behold with its mirrors and gold. The rooms are elegantly decorated with amazing works of art. Each room has its own theme and history. I could have spent all day exploring the palace, but I wanted to make sure I saw some of Brussels’ others sights.
Walking through the city, I had to glimpse the Manneken-Pis. This famous statue depicts a little boy urinating and had me laughing out loud. Originally an important drinking fountain, over the years, this statue has become a joke of sorts expressing the rebellious spirit of Belgium. During important events, the statue is dressed in stunning outfits.
The Cathédral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is one of the most magnificent churches I have ever seen. With its stained glass windows, breathtaking alter, and beautifully carved pulpit, you can’t help but feel completely at peace. Construction of the cathédral began in the 13th century and took about 300 years to complete. After touring the building, it is easy to see why it took so long to finish. It’s obvious that years of dedication were put into creating it.
Being a huge chocolate lover, I couldn’t resist visiting Zaabar. One of the best chocolate factories in Europe, I was thrilled to take a tour and taste some samples. If I only had the time, I could have learned how to make the delicious candy!
Strolling down the cobblestone streets in the Grand Place, I explored many quaint shops. I was lucky enough to be there in the summer when the “flower carpet” was set up. This huge flower arrangement has more than 1 million flowers and covers roughly 129,000 square feet. To say it is amazing is an understatement.
Lace is a big item in Brussels, and I came home with more than a few doilies, tablecloths, etc. The women in the shops of the Grand Place loved to talk about how they made the lace by hand, and no two pieces were the same. I sensed the deep pride they had in their work and admired their talent.
After a day of touring and eating chocolate, I was ready for a good night’s sleep. I had one more day in Belgium, and I wanted to be well-rested.
The next morning, I went to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts. Home to the Museum of Ancient Art and the Museum of Modern Art, this is the largest museum complex in Belgium. Many pieces on display were confiscated by the French revolutionaries in 1794 and tell quite a story. The extensive collection of 14th century art is fantastic. Being an art lover, I was impressed with everything I saw.
I spent the rest of the day simply walking around the area and basking in Brussels’ glory. Definitely one of my favorite cities in Europe, it has a different feel than Paris, London, or any of the other big European cities. When planning your next vacation overseas, make sure you add Belgium to the list!